Statement on Growing U.S. Senate Support for Kids Online Safety Act

James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, regarding major progress on kids online safety legislation in Congress today:

"This is a very significant step forward toward our long sought goal of protecting kids online. Today, enough senators have indicated their support for the Kids Online Safety Act that it will pass when brought to the floor for a vote. We encourage Leader Schumer to arrange a vote as quickly as possible on KOSA, and on the update to the federal children's privacy law, COPPA, and we appreciate his support to get to this point today.

"Attention will quickly turn to the House of Representatives, which will either join the Senate, the millions of parents across the country and hundreds of organizations, like Common Sense Media and others, and stand up for kids online once and for all, or they will be viewed as the reason Congress failed to make the internet healthier and safer for kids, teens, and families. We encourage the House, and the entire Congress, to be on the right side of history.

"The changes made to the bill and announced today appear to continue to preserve the rights of states to take stronger actions than Congress if they want to, and of course dozens of states are actively working on legislation to protect kids online. That is very important. But let me be perfectly clear about one thing - I've been at this a long time and I've seen time and again that the tech industry, minus a very few important players, will oppose any tech regulations - anytime and anywhere. The tech industry and its trade associations are not to be trusted on the question of protecting kids online and Congress needs to move ahead and put these guardrails in place now. We applaud the bi-partisan Senators who have gotten us to this next stop on a long, long road and we are encouraged by the direction this critical effort to protect kids has taken."

About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more at commonsense.org.